I have been away with my family for the last 2 weeks and have enjoyed my time with them. Last week, I did not post because I did not want to take time away from their Spring Break.  This week is Easter. The conversation at the dinner table these 2 weeks has been Education.  My older kids are starting to worry about college and my little ones are hyper-competitive with grades.

One thing I can tell you is that I realize that your family time is important at any age because it shapes their thinking and expectations.  In the case of my kids, we have made a point of always directing them to what we think is important.  Education is a big thing for, not so much for a professional future, but in order to appreciate the other things in life that sometimes we do not see if we do not know any background on it.  I will give you an example:  A few days ago we were discussing the origin of the word decimate.  If you look in a dictionary, the word gives you something like to kill or destroy.  I was telling my children that the word has an origin in the Roman legions.  When the troops would rebel, they had to make an example out of them, and since the penalty was execution, they could not be left without soldiers.  So they would go and pick one out of ten and take their life.  Hence the word decimate.

You would think this is not the typical table discussion, but when you speak to your kids about history and reality, you have to be truthful and open with them, and obviously speak with candor and respect to their age.  Well, business is the same way.  We have to be truthful and open when we talk to each other.  Very much like a family.  My partners and I are honest with each other and it saves a lot of hassles.  I would wish that more individuals acted on principles instead of strategies.

Today’s discussion was about the future of my kids and their college interviews. They seem worried and excited, and I must admit, they do not realize, I am more excited than both of them combined. I love them and hope they truly enjoy the college experience.  I know I did! Probably a little too much…

Stay Calm and Keep Humble…